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Story: Jack Foley
MF Doom, perhaps the most legendary figure in underground hip
hop, has returned - only this time, as a giant, three-headed lizard
from outer space.
"You should listen to the album for what it is and not expect
it to be like the average 'Rap' stuff you’re probably used
to," he explains, when describing his latest album, Take
Me To Your Leader.
"Geedorah is a space monster. He's not from the Earth.
I made it different on purpose. A blend of ill lyrics and instrumentals.
To me its way iller than any of the wack shit out now."
Across 13 tracks all produced, written, recorded, arranged, mixed
and mastered by the man himself (though with a variety of vocal
guests, including Kurious and Scienz Of Life), Doom comes through
with the unique style which has made him the King of the Underground
– off-centre beats that owe much to his love of jazz, fantastically
skilled, charismatic MCing and ideas galore.
Doom’s career in hip hop goes right back to the early 90s
when, known as Zev Love X, he was a central member of nu skool
phenomenons, KMD.
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However, he was dropped by Elektra for refusing to change ‘controversial’
cover artwork, and then tragedy was heaped on top of disappointment
when Zev Love’s brother and fellow band member, Subroc, was
killed in a car accident.
The young MC and producer vanished from the hip hop scene and
was, to some extent, forgotten.
In 1998, however, he re-emerged on Bobbito Garcia’s classic
label, Fondle ‘Em, as MF Doom and over the next few years
cemented his place as one of the most important names on the underground
scene.
Operation: Doomsday was hailed as a classic and KMD’s
‘lost’ album, and Black Bastards finally saw
the light of day.
A generation of musicians have grown up in awe of him and he
has since worked with everyone from Prefuse 73 to Madlib.
But, while this record will undoubtedly be compared to Kool Keith’s
Dr Octagon project, it’s always worth remembering that Doom
is a deep thinker, as well as a dope rhymer, and there’s
more going on here than at first meets the eye.
"This whole album is Geedorah's alien perspective on humans,"
he explains.
"This is done intentionally to show the listener a mirror
image of his/herself and the way we see each other.
"On the album we cover different subjects ranging from race
issues to the neglect of children.
"Some might find the word 'Nigger' offensive, or the line
about the young girl not being able to read maybe considered a
'bad taste' joke. All these insecurities are within us."
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